Vintage Computer Forum - PCs and Cloneshttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/
Older PC architectures from IBM and others - 8088 to 286 only!enSun, 18 Feb 2018 06:39:30 GMTvBulletin60http://www.vcfed.org/forum/images/misc/rss.pngVintage Computer Forum - PCs and Cloneshttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/
Anyone own an NEC APC (mono)?http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62147-Anyone-own-an-NEC-APC-(mono)&goto=newpost
Fri, 16 Feb 2018 08:54:21 GMTI need to know how much the unit weighs, and the weight of the keyboard also. Please no guesses. Thanks!I need to know how much the unit weighs, and the weight of the keyboard also. Please no guesses. Thanks!
]]>PCs and Clones2icebitnhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62147-Anyone-own-an-NEC-APC-(mono)full 640 KB memory on IBM 5150 unnecessary?http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62140-full-640-KB-memory-on-IBM-5150-unnecessary&goto=newpost
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:25:36 GMTI recall someone saying that 640KB would be "overkill" for 4.77Mhz machines that the games requiring it won't run propely in such computer anyway. Is that true?

Originally my IBM 5150 came with 256kb card making it 512Kb total (256kb dram onboard), but I have been using this ram card instead and with it I can get full 640kb but I still don't know what is the actual size of this memory expansion? 1Mb?

]]>PCs and Clonesmusicforlifehttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62140-full-640-KB-memory-on-IBM-5150-unnecessaryhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62138-NEW-tool-quot-Adlib-Host-quot-use-your-opl-equipped-PC-as-an-external-midi-module&goto=newpost
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:39:33 GMTAs I work on making new DOS games I occasionally come up with a tool that I think other people might find useful. I re-used the adlib/midi code from...As I work on making new DOS games I occasionally come up with a tool that I think other people might find useful. I re-used the adlib/midi code from Chuck Jones: Space Cop of the Future to create Adlib-Host, a program that you can run on your 16-bit PC with an Adlib and MPU-401 UART card (so it works on a soundblaster 16) and turn it into a an external MIDI synthesizer. I wrote this so that I could use a modern MIDI sequencer while getting real OPL sound, with my 286 hooked up to my MIDI interface, you can even just plug a keyboard into your MPU-401 and play the OPL directly.

Supports OPL2 and OPL3 for extra voices and stereo.

Anyways, this is far from bug free and the midi implementation isn't 100% but here you go anyways:

]]>PCs and ClonesPgrAmhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62138-NEW-tool-quot-Adlib-Host-quot-use-your-opl-equipped-PC-as-an-external-midi-modulehttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62137-Can-t-get-Seagate-ST-225-working-with-MFM-controller-BXD07-bios&goto=newpost
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:27:54 GMTST225 was title as "the single most common 20MB drive", but yet my 8-bit MFM controller doesn't seem to have fitting setting for it? I'm trying to get it into IBM 5150.

According to ST-225 properties in stason site, it says "Cylinders 615, Heads 4". However the BXD07 bios settings there's only "Cylinders 612 / Heads 4". I was able to format the drive with different 16-bit MFM controller in 286 computer but I can't get it working with the 8-bit controller (although in 286 bios I set the hard drive as type 2). The MFM bios gives me "1 fixed disk" note but after that 286 computer says "HDD controller failure" and 5150 can't read the hard drive either when trying fdisk. Am I doomed trying to get this hard drive working with this particular MFM card?

]]>PCs and Clonesmusicforlifehttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62137-Can-t-get-Seagate-ST-225-working-with-MFM-controller-BXD07-biosVGA Gauging Interest]]>http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62129-CGA-gt-VGA-Gauging-Interest&goto=newpost
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 12:32:59 GMTVGA adapter that gave the full 16 colors with brown capabilties(instead of dark yellow) for MULTISYNC...]]>I was thinking about making a CGA->VGA adapter that gave the full 16 colors with brown capabilties(instead of dark yellow) for MULTISYNC monitors.(basically an improvement over those 9$ CGA->VGA 8 color cables.) Any thoughts? I just want to know if there is enough interest to go through with making them.
]]>PCs and Clonestwistedpneumatichttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62129-CGA-gt-VGA-Gauging-InterestMY top 10 IBM PC rare product charthttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62127-MY-top-10-IBM-PC-rare-product-chart&goto=newpost
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 07:40:01 GMTSo here is my chart of rare IBM PC products according to my experiences (1 is extra rare, 10 is semi rare )
1. *IBM 5175 monitor* - This is pure...So here is my chart of rare IBM PC products according to my experiences (1 is extra rare, 10 is semi rare )

1. IBM 5175 monitor - This is pure inferno. Even pictures on whole internet not exist. Ok there are some blurry pictures on MZD database but its very poor. How much these monitors was manufactured? 50!?
2. IBM PC rev.A with serial number less than 50000. I never saw it.
3. IBM PC AT motherboard type II, I never saw it, never found any pictures
4. IBM 32k and 64k Memory Expansion cards, never saw on ebay. Pictures of 32k card not exist.
5. IBM PGC graphics card - ok this is way better, its very rare and expensive, but there are good pictures and sometimes its on ebay.
6. IBM PC 5161 expansion unit and its two cards + cable - very hard to find and expensive
7. IBM EGA graphics card with Graphics Memory Expansion Card especially memory expansion card is pretty rare
8. Tandon TM-100-1 - IBM single side floppy drive, pretty rare thing. I guess they were supplied only few months after IBM PC introducing
9. IBM 5154 monitor - first EGA monitor, pretty expensive, $350-500 worth
10. IBM 256KB Memory Expansion Option - not very common card

Special place is for working CMI 6426 hard drive :D

So what do you say? ;)
]]>PCs and Clonesromanonhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62127-MY-top-10-IBM-PC-rare-product-chartFind RAM on IBM PChttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62112-Find-RAM-on-IBM-PC&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:02:49 GMTHow do I find out how much RAM I have in my IBM PC w/ PC-DOS 3.1?How do I find out how much RAM I have in my IBM PC w/ PC-DOS 3.1?
]]>PCs and Clonestwistedpneumatichttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62112-Find-RAM-on-IBM-PCIBM 5151 Weirdnesshttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62111-IBM-5151-Weirdness&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 19:13:02 GMTI have an IBM 5160 with a 5151 monitor. It's always had a sort of grid in the background of the screen and I was wondering if it could be burn in. I can adjust the brightness to make it disappear and characters show up over it OK. It came without an operating system, so all I've ever seen it display is the SCSI drive's BIOS and the BIOS on the lo-tech CF adapter that I just installed.

]]>PCs and ClonesFalcon_Hhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62111-IBM-5151-WeirdnessReplacing a proprietary PSU of an early PC clone (Commodore PC20-III)?http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62110-Replacing-a-proprietary-PSU-of-an-early-PC-clone-(Commodore-PC20-III)&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 18:32:51 GMTMy Commodore PC20-III died the other day. It was powered on, and at some point, it just went dead. I tried to powercycle it, but not much happened....My Commodore PC20-III died the other day. It was powered on, and at some point, it just went dead. I tried to powercycle it, but not much happened. On a few attempts, the power led came on weakly, but then it went away again.
I took the PSU apart and checked the fuse, but that was not it, fuse seemed to be fine.

Now, this is a completely proprietary form factor with proprietary connectors. What I gathered from the documentation however, is that the power it supplies is quite standard:
+12v
-12v
+5v
POWERGOOD signal

The power switch is just a standard 'hard' 220v switch, which is on the PSU itself, accessible from the back.

So technically, I should be able to retrofit any PC/XT/AT-ish PSU in there, if I just solder the proprietary connector onto it. I just need to find one that can fit inside the housing of the PC20-III's PSU.

So, I was wondering, is there some 'go to' modern replacement PCB for PC/XT/AT systems that I could use?
I have been looking at 'Flex-ATX' PSUs, and I suppose I could make one of those fit, but it's rather overkill, and I'd have to take care of the 'soft' power switch in some way. There may be easier solutions.

The main problem is that the PSU casing is very 'shallow', yet 'wide'. So it won't fit just any standard PC/XT or AT PSU.
You can see it at the back here:

And a picture from the back, so you can see the switch, power input and fan:

Any ideas?
]]>PCs and ClonesScalihttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62110-Replacing-a-proprietary-PSU-of-an-early-PC-clone-(Commodore-PC20-III)Hercules card??http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62105-Hercules-card&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 15:09:13 GMTMy IBM PC came with the original(not a clone) Hercules card with original driver disk. What should I know about this card and what is its...My IBM PC came with the original(not a clone) Hercules card with original driver disk. What should I know about this card and what is its rarity/value is any. I havent heard much about this card.
]]>PCs and Clonestwistedpneumatichttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62105-Hercules-cardIBM EGA memory extensionhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62099-IBM-EGA-memory-extension&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:05:08 GMTHi, is there any chance to extend memory on IBM EGA without *Graphics Memory Expansion Card*? Obtain this card is pure hell even on ebay.
I have now...Hi, is there any chance to extend memory on IBM EGA without Graphics Memory Expansion Card? Obtain this card is pure hell even on ebay.
I have now two IBM EGAs, but with 64k of video RAM are these cards pretty useless.

]]>PCs and Clonesromanonhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62099-IBM-EGA-memory-extension8088 Corruption/Domination new videos?http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62096-8088-Corruption-Domination-new-videos&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 03:14:58 GMTCan I render my own videos for 8088 domination or corruption and if so, what would I use to do it?
Nevermind. I found the XDC-Compiler on...Can I render my own videos for 8088 domination or corruption and if so, what would I use to do it?

Nevermind. I found the XDC-Compiler on x86dc.wordpress.com
]]>PCs and Clonestwistedpneumatichttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62096-8088-Corruption-Domination-new-videosVGA Card - Leading Edge Model Dhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62094-VGA-Card-Leading-Edge-Model-D&goto=newpost
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 02:19:11 GMTHave a Leading Edge Model D System that I brought out to clean up, maybe upgrade to an NEC V-20 and put a VGA Card in it.
Having an issue with the...Have a Leading Edge Model D System that I brought out to clean up, maybe upgrade to an NEC V-20 and put a VGA Card in it.

Having an issue with the VGA Card, getting characters all over the screen as well as black spots here and there where characters or screen background should be.....I am assuming this is due to the VGA card? I have tried both a Trident TVGA 8800CS card as well as a Realtek VGA Card. I found the Trident card on Stason and know the switches are set right for 8-Bit and Analog Monitor, and the Realtek has no Switches on it.

I have the system hooked up to a "newer" NEC Multisync LCD 1560NX small monitor.

Doesnt matter if the V-20 or the 8088 is in the system, it does the same thing. I know I read the TVGA 8800CS 16-Bit cards work in 8-Bit slots....so I dont know what is wrong.

Any advice?
]]>PCs and ClonesSmack2khttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62094-VGA-Card-Leading-Edge-Model-Dhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62093-720K-disk-emulators-amp-XT-Systems&goto=newpost
Mon, 12 Feb 2018 22:55:00 GMTDo those cheap chinese 720K drive emulators work with XT systems, and can they be modded for 360K emulation? It would be nice to just stick a USB...Do those cheap chinese 720K drive emulators work with XT systems, and can they be modded for 360K emulation? It would be nice to just stick a USB stick in a XT instead of swapping disks *cough* dragon's lair *cough*
]]>PCs and Clonestwistedpneumatichttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62093-720K-disk-emulators-amp-XT-SystemsIBM DOS 1.1 boot disk neededhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62084-IBM-DOS-1-1-boot-disk-needed&goto=newpost
Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:00:46 GMTWould anyone be willing to mail me a "known good" IBM DOS 1.1 boot disk on 5-1/4" DSDD diskette? I will actually return it if you want, I just need to boot my 1983 IBM 5150 and then I can create my own boot disks. The drive is a Tandon TM100-2A and it seems to be working, I just don't have any original boot disks. PM me and I will give you my address and offer to cover your costs.

David
Whippany, NJ
]]>PCs and Clonesdavidyakhttp://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62084-IBM-DOS-1-1-boot-disk-needed